Simulation and Full-Factorial Design Response Optimizer for Solar Water Heating Energy System

Authors : Yasemin Ayaz Atalan
Pages : 74-88
Doi:10.52693/jsas.1798525
View : 23 | Download : 79
Publication Date : 2025-12-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Solar water heating systems occupy a significant place among renewable energy technologies, and the complex interactions between design and operational parameters directly influence their efficiency. This study presents a comprehensive methodological framework that integrates Full Factorial Design (FFD), simulation modeling, and Response Optimization methods for the performance optimization of a solar water heating system. A detailed simulation model was developed for the climatic conditions of Phoenix, Arizona, utilizing the System Advisor Model (SAM) software, which was developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). An FFD scheme was implemented to systematically examine the individual and interactive effects of two critical system performance parameters — daily hot water usage and total pipe length — on System Energy (kWh) and Capacity Factor (%). A total of 189 different design scenarios were simulated, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed on the resulting data. The ANOVA results revealed that daily hot water usage was the most statistically dominant factor affecting system output. At the same time, the main effect of total pipe length and the interaction between these two parameters were also statistically significant. In the following phase, Response Optimization was applied to objectively determine the optimal design conditions that simultaneously maximize both performance metrics. The optimization resulted in an optimal daily hot water usage of 312.66 kg/day and an optimal total pipe length of 46.41 meters, with a combined desirability value of 0.726. This integrated approach, which offers a more efficient, reliable, and evidence-based process compared to traditional trial-and-error methods, provides engineers and decision-makers with a quantitative guide to improve design decisions and maximize system performance in solar water heating systems.
Keywords : Güneş Enerjili Su Isıtma Sistemi, Deney Tasarımı, Tam Faktöriyel Tasarım, Tepki Optimizasyonu, Sistem Danışman Modeli (SAM)

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL